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| Most Reverend Joseph A. Francis, S.V.D. |
| Titular Bishop of Valliposita and Auxiliary Bishop |
| Ordained priest for the Society of the Divine Word |
Francis was born September 30, 1923 in
Lafayette, Louisiana. He entered St. Augustine Seminary, Bay St. Louis in 1936.
He professed perpetual vows in 1950. He
began his distinguished career as and Instructor and Assistant Dean of Students
at St. Augustine's.
From 1952-1960, he served as Assistant Director of Holy Rosary Institute,
Lafayette, Louisiana, and earned Joseph A. a Master's Degree in Educational Administration
from the Catholic University of America. In
1962, he founded and served as the first principal of Verbum Dei High School in
the Watts area of Los Angeles. He remained there as principal until 1967, when
he was elected provincial of the Western Province. In 1973, he was elected
provincial of the Southern Province. |
He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Newark in
1976. In addition to serving as auxiliary of Newark for twenty-one (21)
years, Bishop Francis devoted much energy to positions in organizations
serving the universal Church.
At times he served as president of the Black
Priests' Caucus, chairman of the Greater Newark Urban Coalition, president
of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men; and board member of Catholic
Relief Services; the National Office for Black Catholics; the National
Catholic Conference of Interracial Justice; the Catholic League of
Religious and Civil Liberty, and the American Board of Catholic Missions.
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